# Joffrey’s 'Liliom' Enthralls Audiences

> John Neumeier’s ballet 'Liliom' captivates with cinematic flair despite complex storytelling.
- Title: Joffrey’s 'Liliom' Enthralls Audiences · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: John Neumeier’s ballet 'Liliom' captivates with cinematic flair despite complex storytelling. John Neumeier’s ballet 'Liliom' enthralls audiences with…
- Keywords: joffrey ballet, john neumeier, liliom, michel legrand, playland, great depression, ballet, chicago, news, local, Joffrey, 'Liliom'
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/dance/2026/09/21/review-joffrey-liliom-john-neumeier-michel-legrand
- Published: 2026-09-21T16:53:08.004+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: joffrey ballet, john neumeier, liliom, michel legrand, playland, great depression, ballet, chicago, news, local
## Chicago Premiere of 'Liliom'
The Chicago premiere of John Neumeier’s cinematic ballet 'Liliom' opens the Joffrey Ballet’s 2026-27 season.
## Based on Hungarian Play
The ballet adapts Ferenc Molnár’s 1909 play 'Liliom', which inspired Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1945 musical 'Carousel'.
## John Neumeier’s Background
Neumeier, a Milwaukee-born choreographer, directed the German company from 1973 to 2024 before creating this ballet.
## Setting and Theme
The ballet sets the story in Playland during the 1930s Great Depression, featuring unemployed men and homeless figures.
## Liliom’s Story
Liliom, a carousel barker, becomes entangled with Julie, a cafe waitress, leading to his public suicide and posthumous trial.
## Posthumous Redemption
After Liliom’s death, he attempts to redeem himself by bringing a star to his son Louis but fails to connect.
## Theatrical Expressionism
Neumeier uses expressionist techniques, including surreal trials with devils and recurring carnival figures.
## Michel Legrand’s Score
The ballet features Michel Legrand’s vibrant score blending Frank Sinatra jazz with orchestral arrangements.
## Performance Highlights
José Pablo Castro Cuevas embodies Liliom’s swagger and pain, while Victoria Jaiani portrays Julie’s modesty and attraction.
## Side Characters
Marie and Wolf, a friend of Julie and a bellman, share a joyful duet expressing simple love through movement.
## Complex Narrative
The ballet’s narrative complexity can be difficult to follow, with emotional depth sometimes lost in its theatrical intricacy.
## Joffrey Ballet Details
The ballet runs at the Lyric Opera House through Sept. 27 with tickets priced from $39 to $214.
## Conclusion
Despite narrative challenges, the ballet’s superlative performances and cinematic score enthrall audiences.
## Key takeaway

John Neumeier’s ballet 'Liliom' enthralls audiences with superlative dancing and a cinematic score, though its narrative complexity challenges viewers.